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Posts Tagged ‘Pensions’

Financial News and Articles

Friday, November 6th, 2009

This months news and article feed News and Articles for Novemeber.

What’s in is edition? Below are some of the articles which may be of interest to you.

Achieving a wealthier retirement

Have you considered your options?

Buying an annuity is typically a one-off purchase, so it’s essential to obtain professional advice to ensure that you can achieve a wealthier retirement…………..

Bespoke investment solutions

Selecting a broad spread of instruments

There is a whole range of opportunities open to an investor wishing to generate extra income or build up a capital sum for the future. If appropriate to your particular requirements, one option to consider is collective investment schemes…………..

ISA returns of the year for the over-50s

Have you taken advantage of topping up your tax-free savings?

If you are aged 50 or over, from 6 October your Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance increased by a further £3,000 to £10,200; £1,500 of this increase can be saved in a cash ISA……………

Are you an income-seeking saver?

Making the right informed decisions is the key

We provide solutions for the diverse needs not just of our wealthy clients but also of those who aspire to become wealthy, enabling each individual to structure their finances as efficiently as possible………………

View all stories

Employee and Company Benefit Specialists

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

I was asked recently by a potential client “are you employee benefit specialists?” A reasonable question I feel. We have worked with many companies and offered group benefits for pension, life insurance / death in service, critical illness, income protection and private medical insurance. Our consultants and administration team have years of experience in dealing with these schemes from advice and planning  to the administration and smooth running of the schemes on a day to day basis.

Does this make us specialists? Technically I believe to be a specialist we would need to be devoted to this particular area of work. We do devote a portion of our team to this area, but as a company we are more diverse. I believe the diversity of our services gives us more of an edge when dealing with a company scheme. We are not only able to help your employees and directors with their employee benefit discussions but also their personal financial needs, such as mortgages, personal protection, tax planning, investments and savings. Our team doesn’t only have experience in company benefits but also personal financial planning.

So our specialists will be specialists to your scheme but in the context of our business offer much more than expertise in employee benefits alone.

Adam Cook
Head of Operations

 

Harpenden, Barnet, Mayfair, Hertfordshire and London.

Widows Pension Protection Plan – Family Income Benefit

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Under most final salary scheme i.e. teachers, civil service, firemen, local authority workers in the event of death before or after retirement there is a 50% reduction in the pension in payment payable to the spouse for their lifetime.

 

Even on a generous pension of some £30,000 you can see there is an immediate reduction to £15,000 i.e. a loss of £15,000 per annum for the surviving spouse.

 

This means that the plans for retirement can go completely wrong as moving from £30,000 to £15,000 a year is substantial even through there is only one surviving person but their lifestyle would probably go with it.

 

These particular individuals have good income streams and are crying out for their income and lifestyle to be protected.

 

We have a solution to protect your pension to age 75 upon death for your surviving spouse?

 

Using the above example we would nominate a family income benefit of £15,000 per annum (£1250 a month) which would be paid tax free to the surviving spouse on a monthly basis. There will be no need for probate, solicitors or fees involved.

 

This is a very attractive feature as it requires no administration at the time of death. All that is required is a death certificate for prompt payment of benefits.

 

Obviously the earlier one secures life assurance the cheaper the monthly premium is and hence all should be approached but most popular time would be to pick up somebody in their early 50’s to pick up a lower rate for their age and health.  

 

 

Alan Brown – IFA – Pensions Specialist

Are you getting the best annuity rate, pension or retirement planning?

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Beware you could lose 40% of your retirement income each year for life!

How?

At age 60 or above you will receive a letter from your pension company. It will ask you to sign and return. DON’T!

Make sure you seek advice from a professional at this point. Don’t just ask your friends or colleagues they may have made the same mistake. Be sure that you understand your retirement options and how these will help you to achieve your retirement goals. Only then will you be in a position to return the letter or make alternative plans to meet your own retirement objectives.

  • Do you know your retirement options?
  • Do you know you don’t have to take the annuity offered by your pension provider?
  • Do you know you don’t have to take an annuity at your normal retirement age?
  • Do you know you may be eligible for an increased annuity income if you smoke or are not in good health?
  • Do you know you can take 25% tax free cash and an income whilst remaining invested in markets up to the age of 75 instead of an immediate annuity?
  • Do you know you can access 25% tax free cash lump sum from your pension at age 50 without taking an income if you are still working and do not require the income?

Speaking to your financial adviser may save you money or increase your income and quality of life in retirement. If you do not seek advice you may miss out on extra income in retirement. If you are 50 or approaching 50 and haven’t yet investigated your retirement options I would urge you to speak to your financial adviser.

Below are some case studies. Source (just retirement)


Eleanor

 

Eleanor, aged 60 is nearly two stone over weight and does little exercise. She has suffered from hypertension (high blood pressure) for ten years and is on prescribed medication. Her condition, where the blood pressure is persistently raised, increases the risk

of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure and kidney disease. With enhanced underwriting based on these conditions and life style, Eleanor can qualify for a 33% enhancement over typical Open Market Option annuity rate.

Scenario is based on a woman aged 60 with a fund value of £40k. Quoted Single Life, monthly in advance, nil guarantee, level and no Value Protection. Correct as at 01/07/09. Typical OMO rate sourced

from The Exchange 01/07/09

+33%

 Ted

 

With a 30-a-day habit, its obvious Ted, aged 60, can get a smoker annuity for which he could get a 20% enhancement over a typical Open Market Option annuity rate. Dig a little deeper and Ted reveals he suffers from emphysema, has been hospitalised in the past, is on daily medication and his daily activities

have been severely reduced. With enhanced underwriting based on these health conditions and lifestyle, Ted’s case could qualify for up to a 40% enhancement over a typical Open

Market Option annuity rate.

Scenario is based on a man aged 60 with a fund value of £40k. Quoted Single Life, monthly in advance, nil guarantee, level and no Value Protection. Correct as

at 01/07/09. Typical OMO rate sourced from The Exchange 01/07/09

+40%

David

 

David is a smoker, averaging 10 cigarettes per day so would qualify for a smoker annuity. On further investigation it was established David is overweight and is also taking prescribed medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. With enhanced underwriting based on these health conditions, accompanied by his smoking habit, David’s case could qualify for up to 40% enhancement over a typical Open Market Option annuity rate.

Scenario is based on a man aged 65 with a

fund value of £40k. Quoted Single Life, monthly in advance, nil guarantee, level and no Value Protection. Correct as at 01/07/09. Typical OMO rate sourced from The Exchange 01/07/09

+40%

Contact us now to dicuss your retirement options with an independent financial adviser. Our intial consultation is always free and with no obligation to proceed. Call 0800 435648 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.

50 is too early to retire (According to the government)

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

The governement have decided that 50 is too early to retire and access your pension benefits.

Therefore no claim by 05/04/2010 No Cash!

Last Chance to:

  1. Pay off credit card (Save 23% Interest)
  2. Pay off Part/All of your Mortgage
  3. Protect yourself from potential redundancy (take cash now as fall back for next 5 years)
  4. Pay off overdraft
  5. University Fees
  6. Home Improvements

06/04/2010 = No Access = No Cash until age 55.

Alan Brown – Pension Specialist

Personal Accounts Vs Group Personal Pension Plans

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

If you have seen our previous post http://www.lyndhurstfm.co.uk/blog/pensions/what-do-the-olympic-games-in-london-and-pensions-have-in-common/ It is known that from 2012 it is planned that all eligible workers, who are not already in a good quality workplace scheme, will be automatically enrolled into either their employers’ pension scheme or a new savings vehicle, which is currently known as a personal account scheme. We have identified below some advantages and disadvantages of an appropriate Group Personal Pension Plan Vs Personal Accounts. It is important to know whether your current company scheme is appropriate as an alternative to personal accounts, or if you don’t have a scheme to arrange one and maybe more importantly for small businesses budget for one.

Personal Accounts Vs Group Personal Pension Plans

 

 

Personal Accounts

Group Personal Pension

 

·         Limited Fund Choice – if no choice is made a default fund will be chosen

 

 

·         No transfers in or out for 5 years

 

 

 

·         Limited retirement choice – 25% tax free cash and purchase an annuity

 

 

·         No ongoing service

 

 

·         Low charges

 

·         Maximum contribution £5,000

 

 

·         Contributions 3% employer, 4% employee, 1% tax relief

 

 

 

·         Wider selection of funds allowing your plan to be actively managed and achieve higher performance

 

·         Can consolidate all pension plans under one arrangement and transfer out at any time

 

·         More flexible retirement options including phased tax free cash and income withdrawal

 

·         Ongoing service and analysis of funds and performance

 

·         Low charges

 

·         Maximum contribution 100% of salary

 

·         20% tax relief on all personal contributions  (40% for higher rate tax payers)

 

 

  http://www.lyndhurstfm.co.uk/enquiry.html or admin@lyndhurstfm.co.uk to arrange a chat about your employee benefits and pension arrangements.

Would you like Guaranteed Income for Life?

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Would you like:

  1. a guaranteed income for life?
  2. the possibility of leaving an inheritance to your dependants?
  3. to choose where your pension fund is invested?
  4. to know your guaranteed income could rise through good investment performance but it won’t fall because of poor investment performance?

If you would Lyndhurst have access to a product that could be right for you.

Planning how you’ll take your income when you retire is a big decision, so it is important that you discuss this with your financial adviser. To see further details of Income for Life and request a brochure or meeting with a financial adviser please complete our independent financial advice enquiry form or call us on 0800 435648.

What do the Olympic Games in London and Pensions have in common?

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

On the surface not a lot, however, dig a bit deeper and you will find that 2012 is an important year for both.

I won’t comment on the preparation for the Olympic Games but will comment on the preparation you might want to make prior to changes in pension legislation that will impact every business from 2012.

What changes are being introduced?

The Pensions Act 2008 contains a number of measures aimed at encouraging greater private pension saving. From 2012 it is planned that all eligible workers, who are not already in a good quality workplace scheme, will be automatically enrolled into either their employers’ pension scheme or a new savings vehicle, which is currently known as a personal account scheme.

To encourage participation, employees’ pension contributions will be supplemented by contributions from employers and tax relief.

If you do not already contribute to an employee pension scheme then your cost of employment will rise and you should consider how to prepare for that.

If you do contribute to an employee pension scheme at the moment you may also want to consider the impact of 2012 on that scheme.

Whatever your current circumstances, Lyndhurst Financial Management is here to help. We are a local firm that has provided financial advice to individual and corporate clients for nearly twenty years.